The whole concept of equality should be pretty easy to nail down, right? Things are equal when they're the same. That's just elementary school math.
But really, it's not that simple. At least, not when it comes to politics.
In this speech, Barry Goldwater touches on one of the fundamental differences between conservative and liberal political philosophies: the definition of equality. But like we said, he touches on it. He doesn't explain it. So let's take a second to do that now.
Most conservative philosophies say we're born equal in the eyes of the law, and that's that. Equality achieved. Little to no maintenance required.
Most liberal philosophies say that it's the government's job to make sure we're all treated equally, have equal access to equal opportunities, etc. This is a battle that the government must continue to fight, because left to their own devices, people will all scramble to benefit themselves at the expense of others.
To listen to Goldwater, those leaning toward the liberal side are totally confused about what equality actually is. And furthermore, this confusion has led to all kinds of bad stuff happening, like tyranny, despotism, and human cloning. Not actual human cloning—this is a political speech, not an X Files episode—but pretty much the next closest thing: enforced human conformity.
Losing our individuality has always been Americans' deepest fear: pod-people, groupthink, Stepford wives—it's the stuff of horror movies. And according to Barry, it all starts with the Democrats warped ideas about equality. Who knew?
Questions About Equality
- Why would Goldwater think that the government shouldn't try to enforce equality?
- Do you think Goldwater would allow that there are instances in history where it's been necessary for the government to step in and enforce legal equality?
- Goldwater seems to assume that there is always equality of opportunity in our great nation. What do you think?
Chew on This
Goldwater believed that people are born equal under the law, and what happens after that is up to them. The Constitution did its part now we have to do ours.
Barry's ignoring some blatant truths about human nature.